Cutting board

[gw21]

I'm a beginner and currently using a wooden cutting board made of oak for cutting leather with a head knife. I have a feeling that that cutting on wood makes the knife dull.  

So, can you please recommend some natural materials for cutting boards. I dislike using polymer/plastic products. What is the traditional surface for cutting leather with a head knife?

 

Thanks.

[DieselTech]

I would just buy a plastic uhmw cutting board. Lmao if your worried about plastic, then you probably don't want to know what is in your leather. 

[chuck123wapati]

2 hours ago, gw21 said:

I'm a beginner and currently using a wooden cutting board made of oak for cutting leather with a head knife. I have a feeling that that cutting on wood makes the knife dull.  

So, can you please recommend some natural materials for cutting boards. I dislike using polymer/plastic products. What is the traditional surface for cutting leather with a head knife?

 

Thanks.

wood is fine leather doesn't know the difference. th board is to protect your blades and wooden Cutting boards are as old as knives. 

[Northmount]

3 hours ago, gw21 said:

using a wooden cutting board made of oak for cutting leather with a head knife.

Depending on how you are cutting, sometimes the knife wants to follow the wood grain.  Self healing cutting mats are nice as they are all marked out in measured squares making it easier to layout and cut straight lines with a guide rule.

[TonyV]

Yes, wood contributes to your knife getting dull.  Just think of all the opportunity you have to get really good at sharpening and stropping! 

If you're determined to avoid plastic surfaces, try a softer wood surface, such as plywood, which you would be able to easily replace when needed.

But really, the best cutting surfaces are made of plastic. Many of them are made of recycled plastic, if that helps.

Edited January 21 by TonyV

[nylonRigging]

1 hour ago, TonyV said:

Yes, wood contributes to your knife getting dull.  Just think of all the opportunity you have to get really good at sharpening and stropping! 

If you're determined to avoid plastic surfaces, try a softer wood surface, such as plywood, which you would be able to easily replace when needed.

But really, the best cutting surfaces are made of plastic. Many of them are made of recycled plastic, if that helps.

Soft cutting boards really sucks the sharpness edge off the blades, I use a lot of the Poly. cutting boards and razor knife everyday. from what I understand the #1 Best Cutting Board materials is .. Acetel Copolymer . Delrin is another but more expensive.

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[TomE]

I covered my work table with white HDPE (https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/panel-products/plastic-utility-panels/1-4-x-4-x-8-hdpe-panel/whtkhdpe48x96x220/p-1561703293086-c-14048.htm).  Less drag = much easier to control the knife, compared to plywood or the self-healing mat that I previously used.  The white color brightens up my workshop and helps me see the work.

[jcuk]

I use MDF no drag and does not dull the edge once its to cut up on one side turn it over, just remember to only use it for cutting because it will scratch your work.

Hope this helps

JCUK

[fredk]

For rough-out cutting I use one of these hook blades. It doesn't cut into any board. With care it can be use to cut right on the pattern line

For finish cutting I either use shears/scissors or a knife on a self-healing cutting mat

 

[Northmount]

17 hours ago, jcuk said:

I use MDF

I've seen bits of metal embedded in MDF.  Fine for stropping since you're not cutting into it, really smooth.